KKB polls to witness 4-way contest

KKB BY-ELECTION | The Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election campaign will begin today, with the nomination process taking place at the Hulu Selangor Multipurpose Hall and District Sports Complex.

Potential candidates will be given an hour, from 9am to 10am, to submit their nomination papers, after which the returning officer will announce the list of candidates eligible to contest in the by-election.

So far, Pang Sock Tao, the press secretary of Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, has been announced as the government's candidate, against Perikatan Nasional's candidate - Hulu Selangor Bersatu acting division chief Khairul Azhari Saut.

Some 40,226 voters are eligible to cast their ballots, comprising 39,362 ordinary voters, 625 police officers, 238 military personnel and spouses and one overseas absentee voter.

The two weeks of campaigning which will kick off following the nomination process, will culminate in polling day on May 11.

Official: 4 candidates vying for KKB seat

11.29am: Four candidates will contest for the Kuala Kubu Baharu seat.

While Pakatan Harapan is fielding Pang Sock Tao and Perikatan Nasional fielding Khairul Azhari Saut, Hafizah Zainuddin of Parti Rakyat Malaysia has also thrown her hat into the ring.

Also confirmed contesting is an independent, Nyau Ke Xin, a director of a logistics company.

Why EC reject Chng’s papers?

10.25am: Chng Boon Lai, who was considering running as an independent, says his nomination got rejected as he failed to provide a statement of expenses after the last state election.

When the media asked him whether the reason for his candidacy was "dissatisfaction with an outsider candidate ", he replied, "yes."

Indie candidate joins the race

10am: A director of a logistic firm made a surprise entry as an independent candidate.

Nyau Ke Xin, 27 from Sabak Bernam says she is contesting due to dissatisfaction with the government.

“I need a platform to voice the people’s discontent against the coalition government.

“The people are struggling due to the rising cost of living,” she adds.

As of 10am, the Elections Commission received five nomination papers including from Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s (PRM) Hafizah Zainuddin and Chng Boon Lai.

However, the EC rejected Chng’s nomination, leaving only four.

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PAS aiming for ‘4-0’

9.05am: Meanwhile, Selangor PAS secretary Roslan Shahir says his party plans to win all state seats under the Hulu Selangor parliamentary constituency.

“Kuala Kubu Baharu PAS members fully back PN’s candidate. We have won Hulu Selangor - in addition to Batang Kali and Ulu Bernam state seats.

“If we win this seat, our score in Hulu Selangor will be 4-0,” he tells Malaysiakini.

Candidates enter nomination centre

9am: Pang and Khairul enter the nomination room at 9am.

They are currently handing over nomination forms.

Over 500 PN supporters march

8.50am: More than 500 PN supporters march to the nomination centre.

They wait outside while the candidate enters the nomination centre. The group uses a microphone to shout out slogans criticising the government.

The rice issue, water tariff hike and the falling ringgit are among the issues being shouted out.

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Harapan, BN in solidarity

8.28am: Nearly a thousand Harapan and Umno supporters are slowly moving to the nomination centre.

Supporters at the scene held the red flag of Harapan and the blue flag of BN.

Supporters at the scene kept chanting "Kekal kekal, Kuala Kubu".

Khairul arrives in blue

8.20am: Perikatan Nasional’s candidate Khairul Azhari Saut arrives at Dewan Merdeka, donning dark blue baju Melayu, before heading towards the nomination centre.

PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin is leading the entourage. Among others in the group include Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu, secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin, Selangor PN chief Azmin Ali, Ronald Kiandee, Rina Harun, Indera Mahkota MP Saifuddin Abdullah, Adun Taman Medan assemblyperson Dr Afif Baharuddin, Gerakan president Dominic Lau, MIPP president P Punithan.

About 500 supporters are already gathered near Dewan Merdeka, chanting “reformati” and “Kuala Kubu Kita Bangkit”.

They were also carrying a bizarre placard, showing the keris in Umno’s emblem being replaced with rockets (DAP’s symbol).

‘Light breakfast’

8.17am: Pang is seen having breakfast with Nga, Harapan by-election director Ng Sze Han and others at a nearby store.

In addition to giving Pang some precautions, Nga also appealed to the media to vote for Pang.

Harapan team arrives

8am: Pang Sock Tao, Pakatan Harapan’s candidate arrives at the meeting place.

Nearly a thousand supporters gathered in front of the Hulu Selangor MCA office near Agro Bank.

Members from the DAP, PKR, Amanah and Umno came to support the event.

Several leaders from the DAP such as Anthony Loke, Lim Guan Eng, Steven Sim, Nga Kor Ming and Ngeh Koo Ham arrived before 8am.

Other member party leaders include Johor Umno deputy chairperson Ahmad Maslan, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari and others.

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